Preparing for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Careers
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills are important for success in all kinds of careers.
You might think you're in a career that doesn't need STEM skills. But you'll find that a little STEM knowledge will help you be successful in just about any career.
It takes persistence to do college-level work in math, science, and technology, but the rewards can be very high. STEM Careers are in demand and tend to pay very well.
You can gain STEM skills through academic courses, work experience, and even your hobbies.
STEM Classes
Get started by choosing these classes in high school or college.
- Algebra
- Statistics
- Biology
- Geography
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Computer technology
- Computer-assisted art
- Research methods (in any discipline)
- Calculus
- Economics
- Electronics
- Environmental science
- Political science
- Technical writing (business plans, research reports, grant proposals, etc.)
STEM Experience and Hobbies
Try one or more of these activities to increase your STEM skills:
- Help a community organization with a fundraising event or other project that uses budgeting and math skills.
- Participate in a data-collection project to gain experience writing surveys, conducting interviews, and analyzing data using standard database software.
- Teach youth at a science summer camp or after-school program.
- Try programming your own video game or customizing your favorite. You can often download free software from the Internet.
- Explore a technical hobby. Learn about computer parts, try building your own computer, and use an online forum to share how you did it.
- Job shadow or intern with an engineer or someone in another technical field.
- Join a Math or Science Club.
- Prepare a project for a science fair.
- Learn computer applications or technology related to a field of interest, like CAD for architecture or SQL for database work.